
Deepening Understanding & Appreciation of Chinese-Vietnamese Heritage in North America.
Focusing on Chinese-Vietnamese refugee stories, family relationships, and bridging generational gaps.
Ep 11: Building Heritage: 8 Months Pregnant & Headed to 北海 [bak1 hoi2] – with 何水嬌 and Annie
Today’s episode is an exciting one because I get to introduce one of my best friends, Annie – and her incredible mom! We share with you today a really remarkable and poignant moment in Annie’s Mom’s refugee story – which was when she was almost left behind in China while being 7-8 months pregnant with...

Ep 10: Building Heritage: Bringing Sriracha to Canada & Food as a Pathway to Intergenerational Connection with Raymond Liens
In today’s episode, I’m really happy to be able to introduce you to Raymond Liens, he shares pieces of his wonderful family story – like growing up in South Vietnam, their journey to Canada being government sponsored, opening the first South-East Asian grocery store in Winnipeg – being the first to bring Sriracha to Canada,...

Ep 9: Exploring Roots: Captain at Nineteen – Trong Nguyen
Trong Nguyen is one of my uncles! In this episode, you hear about his personal experiences fleeing Vietnam in the 1980’s from South Vietnam. He was one of the captains of his boat at the age of 19, and he lets us into several of his incredible memories including escaping from the army, planning and...

Ep 8: Building Heritage: The Importance of Heritage and Language Preservation with Nina Le
Meet the amazing Nina Le! Nina is currently the communication coordinator for Montreal’s Concordia University’s TESL Resource Centre and a Master’s student in Applied Linguistics at the University. She’s focusing on heritage language maintenance and critical pedagogy. Nina was born and raised in Saigon, Vietnam until she was 15, when she received a scholarship to study A-level in Cambridge...

Ep 7: Exploring Roots: Leaving a Life Behind – Sinh Ha (My Dad) Part 3
In Part 3 of this 3 part series with Sinh Ha, you’ll hear about my dad’s memories of the day his family left down to the beach to board their refugee boat to Hong Kong. Be sure to visit holdingheritage.com for show notes and more information. Music by Blue Wednesday – be sure to check him out!


I am a second generation Chinese Canadian who is on the journey of learning and connecting more deeply with my heritage and family.
I was born and raised in Canada - while both of my parents were born and raised in Vietnam. Both sides of my family are ethnically Chinese however, since my parents and their families grew up in Vietnam, they resonate with both Chinese and Vietnamese customs. In the late 1970’s, our families became one of hundreds of thousands fleeing Vietnam as refugee boat people.
My goal is to hopefully share and encourage the documentation, and participation in these important stories, conversations and connections that work to heal and strengthen our families.
This is a life-long journey, and I hope you will join me!
Ep 12: Building Heritage: Growing Up Ngai with Michael and Chon
In this episode I chat with 2 friends – Michael and Chon about growing up speaking an obscure dialect of Chinese referred to as Ngai! We dive into what it was like for them, and how they’ve both navigated growing up in Canada and England. Be sure to visit holdingheritage.com for show notes and more information. Music...